Handline snatch block

ABSTRACT

A handline snatch block in one preferred embodiment using many fiberglass portions, weighs only 1 pound, is only 8 inches long, uses a 3 inch sheave which rotates on a 1/2 inch diameter axle subassembly, is safely rated at 1,000 pounds and is tested to support 4,000 pounds, in convenient handling and lifting loads. The utilization of fiberglass materials reduces the weight, helps in protecting users, such as electrical linemen, from electrical shock, and eliminates deterioration caused by corrosion.

United States Patent Johnson Aug. 12, 1975 [5 HANDLINE SNATCH BLOCK3,199,841 8/1965 McRean 254/193 3 77 95 1 1973 l 25419 [76] Inventor:Gordon w. Johnson, 6163 NE. l/ mes 5 185th Seattle Wash 98007 PrimaryExaminerRobert J. Spar [22] Filed: Sept, 25, 1973 AssistantExaminer-Kenneth Noland pp NO: 400,638 Attorney, Agent, or Fzrm-Roy E.Mattern, Jr.

' [57] ABSTRACT [:2] BS8]; 254/l9 g6zg4lgg A handline Snatch block inone preferred embodiment 'P i 195 using many fiberglass portions, weighsonly 1 pound, is 1 0 are only 8 inches long, uses a 3 inch sheave whichrotates on a /2 inch diameter axle subassembly, is safely rated [56]References cued at 1,000 pounds and is tested to support 4,000 UNITEDSTATES PATENTS pounds, in convenient handling and lifting loads. The765,475 7/1904 Gilchrist 254/193 utilization of fiberglass materialsreduces the weight, 806,562 12/1905 Opsal 254/193 helps in protectingusers, such as electrical linemen, 823,231 6/1906 Tarbox 254/193 felectrical Shock, and eliminates deterioration 1,672,823 6/1928McMillan.... 254/193 caused by corrosion 2,649,282 8/1953 Fate, Jr254/193 3,042,378 7/1962 Preston 254/193 1 Claim, 5 Drawing FiguresHANDLINE SNATCH BLOCK This handline snatch block has a load receivingand transmitting body. Centrally, in a formed cavity, this body receivesthe threaded shank of a load receiving ring and a securement subassemblytherefor. Transversely, in pivot rod receiving supports, this body alsoreceives pivot rod subassemblies which extend beyond on through spacedpivot rod receiving yoke portions of each depending side housing. On oneside of the handline snatch block, the pivot rod subassembly is rivetedinto place and on the other side, the pivot rod subassembly is removablythreaded in place, using in turn a bolt and nut subassembly. Also theload receiving and transmitting body, adjacent the spaced pivot rodreceiving yoke portions of each depending side housing, has slightlyspaced therefrom, matching contour filling backup abutment portions,which stand ready to back up and steady the spaced pivot rod receivingyoke portions of each depending side housing when they are under heavyloads, which would otherwise tend to cause excessive distortion of theseyoke portions and also other portions of the depending side' housings.

Each depending side housing, in addition to its spaced pivot rodreceiving yoke portions has: complementary receiving cavities on theinside, to partially receive the outer flanges of a sheave; centrallylocated formed passageways to receive the various portions of an axlesubassembly, inclusive of depressable and/or crushable circular ribportions, which are effectively used upon tightening the axlesubassembly; and extended depending and transverse abuttable portionsultimately riveted together, upon assembly, to complete the support ofthe sheave and to help in confining a rope line passing over the sheaveof this assembled handline snatch block.

An axle subassembly rotatably confines the sheave within the pair ofdepending side housings. It has a rotatable cylindrical shaft sleevematched externally to fit into a bushing located within the sheave, andmatched internally to receive a headed threaded bolt of a bolt and nutfastener subassembly serving as this axle subassembly. The headed boltand nut of this fastener subassembly, are non rotatably fitted into theouter extremities of the centrally located formed passageway of eachdepending side housing.

Upon the initial assembly of this handline snatch block, before thedepending side housings are secured by rivet subassemblies and pivot rodsubassemblies, and after the sheave, its bushing, the cylindrical shaftsleeve, and the headed threaded bolt and nut fastener subassembly areall prepositioned, the depending side housings are then rotated, onerelative to the other. As they hold the bolt head and nut captive, thisfastener subassembly, serving as the axle subassembly, is firmlytightened. The depressable and/r crushable circular rib portionseffectively compensate for the captive holding of the bolt head and nut,and the overall secure tightening of the axle subassembly is assuredupon the first tightening and so remains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pulley blocks, such as described byGilchrist in his U.S. Pat. No. 977,613 of 1910, have previously includeddesirable features such as his lubrication reservoir and the back upportion of the body. McKissick in his U.S. Pat. No. 2,474,433 in 1949,indicated improvements ina snatch block such as his bolt and nut axlesubassembly. Fate in his U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,282 showed otherimprovements in a snatch block in 1953 such as housings receiving theedge portions of the sheave. Seamans and lngalls in 1962 in their U.S.Pat. No. 3,050,286 illustrated the housing portions of a pulley blockabutting and mating above and below the sheave axle. Silberger in hisU.S. Pat. No. 3,250,516 described and illustrated in 1966, his hoistbottom block inclusive of a new removable securement means for hislifting hook subassembly,

These patent disclosures, and other observations of many pulley blocksand snatch block indicate, that although many prior designs offer one ormore advantages, none singly or considered together offer all of theadvantages of the handline snatch block, illustrated and describedherein, which within a comparatively small overall size envelopeprovides for the safe and convenient handling of comparatively heavyloads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A handline snatch block of comparativelylighter weight handles comparatively larger lifting loads, as it is madeby utilizing many fiberglass materials. They are molded with smoothcontours and present electrical insulating portions, and all suchportions are inherently free of corrosion. Moreover, these fiberglassportions are formed and secured together to be especially strong and tobe kept free from excessive deflections and/or distortions. As aconsequence, in one embodiment, weighing only 1 pound and extending 8inches in overall length, l,0OO pound rated loads are safely handled, asthis unit is well pre-tested, to handle loads up to 4,000 pounds.

Upon initial assembly, there is a utilization of depressable and/orcrushable circular rib portions in the depending side housings, whichalso hold captive the bolt head and nut of a fastener subassemblyutilized with a sleeve to serve as a sheave axle means. As the dependingside housings are rotated, one relative to the other, the nut and boltare completely tightened, with the depressable and/or crushable circularrib portions compensating for the otherwise sometimes awkward situationwhich would otherwise occur when the captive bolt and nut would not bein a position to allow for the final tightening.

Both depending side housings are transversely supported in three places:below, as the transverse abutments secured by a riveted subassembly;midway, when secured by the bolt, nut and sleeve axle subassembly; andabove, at transverse pivot rod receiving supports of the load receivingand transmitting body. At this location above, the depending sidehousings have their spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions secured onone side of the handline snatch block by a rivet subassembly and on theother side by a bolt and nut subassembly, wherein the nut is heldcaptive in the housing, and the bolt is kept on a tether screwed in turnto adjacent depending side housing.

Although the terms, below and above, are used in reference to the modeof use of the handline snatch block, wherein there is a rope linerunning up and over the sheave, it is to be realized, the handlinesnatch block may be inverted and used to follow and travel over a ropeline, which is extended between two somewhat distant locations, therebyserving as a transporting means as well as a lifting or holding means.In either mode of use, the intentional removal of the bolt and nutsubassembly, serving as the pivot rod, is easily undertaken, andthereafter the load receiving and transmitting body is pivoted to clearan entry or exit for the rope line, eliminating and need for threadingthe full length of the rope line through this handline snatch block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the handlinesnatch block is illustrated throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handline snatch block arranged inits mode of use, where a rope line comes up and over the sheave, tohandle the raising and/or lowering of a load, as the snatch block isheld secure from above at its load receiving ring;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handline snatch block arranged in adefinite mode of use, where a rope line is stretched between twosomewhat distant locations and the snatch block is moved over the ropewhile supporting a load from its load receiving ring, which is notlocated below the sheave, and also in this view, the pivoting of theload receiving and transmitting body to clear the entry for the rope isillustrated, the bolt and nut subassembly, being unthreaded, which, whensecured, serves as the pivot rod subassembly holding the depending sidehousing, through its yoke portions, to the load receiving andtransmitting body;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective with directional center linesindicating the assembly of the various components of the handline snatchblock; the load receiving and transmitting body being in its clearedposition to provide an entry for the rope line to the sheave; and

FIGS. 4 and 5, being partial and enlarged views, illustrate the locationof one of the two depressable and/or crushable circular rib portions,which become effective during the initial tightening assembly of thehandline snatch block; FIG. 4 being a partial side elevation of onedepending side housing looking into the overall recess into which a nutor bolt head is held captive and indicating the position of the circularrib,'and FIG. 5 being an enlarged cross section, taken on section line5-5 of FIG. 4, to further illustrate the circular rib and its location,relative both to the recess which receives the nut or bolt head, and tothe other nearby portions of the central passageway of the respectivedepending side housing. I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Two Modes of Use A handlinesnatch block is illustrated in FIG. 1 in its mode of use supported fromabove by a rope 12 utilizing its load receiving ring 14 and receiving aload lifting and lowering rope 16 from below, which moves up and overits sheave 18. Whereas, in FIG. 2, the handline snatch block 10 isillustrated in its mode of use, wherein it is rollably supported on aconveyor rope 20, which is secured between somewhat distant locations,not shown, and a load being conveyed, which is not shown, is supportedbelow by a load supporting rope 22.

In FIG. 2, the load receiving and transmitting body 24 is illustrated inits pivoted position so the handline snatch block 10 could be easilylowered down over the conveyor rope 20. This body 24 is also clearedaway to receive the load lifting and lowering rope 16, as sug gestedupon viewing FIG. 1.

Quick Access to Rope To accomplish this quick clearance by pivotallyposi tioning the body 24, the pivot rod subassembly 26 lo cated throughopening 27 on this transverse pivot rod receiving support 28 of body 24,comprises a bolt and nut subassembly 30. It is quickly unthreaded, andthen the bolt 32 is pulled out of the support 28 and also pulled out ofthe holes 33, 35 in the spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions 34, 36of the respective depending side housing 38. The bolt 32 remains in anearby position ready for reuse by utilizing a tether 41), whichsurrounds it and in turn is secured to the depending side housing 38 bya screw 42. The nut 44 remains imbedded in the spaced pivot rodreceiving yoke portion 36. During pre-assembly, a washer 41 is placedagainst the tether 40 and around the bolt 32.

Securement of Load Receiving Ring As illustrated in FIG. 3, the loadreceiving ring 14 has an abutment flange 46, a threaded shank 48 and akey way 50. It is inserted into a variable cross sectioned central'cavity 52, formed in the load receiving and transmitting body 24.Thereafter, in succession, a washer 54, nut receiving sleeve 56, nut 58,key 60, and rey retaining cap 62, are all installed to retain the loadreceiving ring 14 firmly in place.

Rotatable Securement of the Sheave Utilizing Depressable and/orCrushable Circular Ribs The sheave 18 must be rotatably secured in placeat or near the outset of the assembly of this handline snatch block 10.Both in depending side housing 38 and in depending side housing 64, neartheir exteriors, are respective receiving structures 66 and 68 which nonro tatably hold both the head 70 of axle bolt 72 and the axle nut 74.The sheave 18 in its center opening 75 has a bushing 76 and, as asubassembly, they are slipped over an axle sleeve 78, which has beenpreviously guided over the axle bolt 72, then in position in dependingside housing 38, and so held in the non rotatable position. Thereafter,depending side housing 64, with axle nut 74 held in the non rotatableposition, is rotated relative to depending side housing 38, therebyadvancing axle nut 74 along axle bolt 72. As the final tighteningoccurs, depressable and crushable integral circular ribs 79 located inthe receiving structures 66, 68, of the depending side housings 38, 64,as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, serve their purpose of accommodating thiscomplete tightening, either by undergoing depression and/or by beingcrushed.

Dual Rivet and Hollow Rod Fasteners Used at Other Fastening LocationsThe load receiving and transmitting body 24, is pivotally secured to thedepending side housing 64, where the pivot rod receiving support 80 isfitted between spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions 82, 84, by usinga hollow pivot rod 86 passing through hole 89 and holes 87 and 89 andrivets 88, arranged in a pressed fit relationship to firmlyhold theparts together. Also the lower extending portions 90, 92, of eachdepending side housing 38, 64, have transversely arranged cylindricalabutting portions 94, 96, which together through holes, 95, 97 receive ahollow pivot rod 86 and rivets 88 arranged in a pressed fit relationshipto firmly hold them all together. 1

Protective Partial Edge Covering of Outer Sheave Portions Within theLarge Receiving Cavities of the Depending Side Housings The largereceiving cavities 98, 100 on the interiors of depending side housings38, 64, receive and protect the outer sheave portions 102, 104, andthereby keep any portions of the load fitting and lower rope 16, or vthe conveyor rope 20, from being snagged, jammed, held, or damagedduring load handling operations. In FIG. 5, it is to be noted, there isa recessed structure 106 in each depending side housing 38, 64, torotatably receive the respective ends of the axle sleeve 78 during andafter the assembly of this handlike snatch block 10.

Reenforcing Abutments As illustratedin FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,. the loadreceiving and transmitting body 24, adjacent to its own pair of pivotrod receiving supports 28, 80 and also adjacent to the spaced pivot rodreceiving yoke portions 34, 36, and 82, 84, respectively of dependingside housings 38, 64, has slightly spaced therefrom, matching contourfilling backup reenforcing concave abutment portions. They stand readyto back up and steady the spaced pivot rod receiving yoke portions 34,36 and 82, 84 of each depending side housing 38, 64, when they areundergoing heavy loads, which would otherwise tend to cause excessivedistortion of these yoke portions, and also other portions of thesedepending side housings.

SUMMARY OF ADVANTAGES By using fiberglass, a relatively lower weight,stronger, corrosion free, non conducting, highly securable, yet quicklyadjustable handline snatch block is manufactured and used at lower costfor a longer period of time as it is designed to more successfullywithstand excessive loads which might otherwise cause excessivedeflections and distortions and possible serious damage.

I claim:

1. A handline snatch block having many components made of fiberglass andarranged for the excellent distribution of otherwise deflecting anddistorting loads, and also arranged for two possible modes of operation,and at all times being quickly adjustable to insert and to withdraw aportion of a rope line with respect to its passage over the sheave,comprising:

a. a load receiving and transmitting body having a centrally locatedvertical formed cavity to position and hold a load receiving means, andhaving integral opposite transversely extending body portions serving asintegral pivot rod receiving supports with a horizontal formed cavity toreceive respective pivot rod subassemblies, and having additionalintegral opposite transversely extending body portions spaced in pairson respective sides of the said integral opposite transversely extendingbody portions which serve as the integral pivot rod receiving supports,each said pair of additional integral opposite transversely extendingbody portion terminating outwardly in a concave reenforcing abutment tocome into play when the handline is subjected to high loading;

b. a load receiving means having a head portion to be secured to a loadline, having a threaded shank to be positioned through the centrallylocated vertical formed cavity of the said lead receiving andtransmitting body, and having a subassembly of a bushing, washer, nut,locking pin, and lock nut, for securing the said threaded shank in thesaid centrally located cavity; 1

c. two spaced depending side housings having at their top integralpaired and spaced convex pivot rod receiving supports, to complementaryfit in the said concave reenforcing abutments of the said load receivingand transmitting body, with horizontal formed cavities to receiverespective pivot rod subassemblies, which also are received in the saidintegral opposite transverse extending body portions of the said loadreceiving and transmitting body, to be thereby rotatably secured to theload receiving and transmitting body, having at their bottom integralextended receiving transverse supports having transverse cavities toreceive a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and. a sleeve, havingat their integral mid portions on their insides a recessed structure toaccommodate portions of a sheave, having at their integral mid portionson their outsides, a formed recess to non rotatably position endportions of an axle subassembly, at least one said outside recess havinga circular crushable rib to be deformed during the initial rotativeassembly of the said depending side housings, and also having at theirintegral mid portions a transverse hole to accommodate portions of anaxle subassembly; V

d. an axle subassembly of a bolt, sleeve, and nut, in

serted through the transverse holes of the said re spective integral midportions of the said two spaced depending side housings, the finaltightening of this axle subassembly, after installation of a sheave,occurring as the two said spaced depending side housings are rotatedrelative to one another until firmly contacting the ends of the saidsleeve of this axle subassembly, the complete tightening being assuredas the said circular crushable rib is deformed to the extent necessaryas the said formed recesses non rotatably position the said end portionsof the axle subassembly;

e. a sheave for placement on the said axle subassembly and positionedbetween said two spaced depending side housings for partial interfittingwithin their said inside recesses;

f. a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve to securetogether the said bottom integral extended receiving transverse supportsof the said two spaced depending side housings; and

g. pivot rod securement subassemblies to rotatably secure the said twospaced depending side housings at their respective said spaced convexpivot rod receiving supports to the load receiving and transmitting bodyat its said integral opposite transversely extending body portions, oneof these said pivot rod securement subassemblies having two rivets and asleeve for riveted securement, and the other of these said pivot rodsecurement subassemblies having a sleeve, a pull out pin, and a securedtether to keep the pull out pin from falling away from the adjacent saiddepending side housing, the said pull out pin upon its withdrawal,clearing the respective said depending side housing at its top foroutwardly pivoting to gain access to the sheave for removal or insertionof a pulley line.

1. A handline snatch block having many components made of fiberglass andarranged for the excellent distribution of otherwise deflecting anddistorting loads, and also arranged for two possible modes of operation,and at all times being quickly adjustable to insert and to withdraw aportion of a rope line with respect to its passage over the sheave,comprising: a. a load receiving and transmitting body having a centrallylocated vertical formed cavity to position and hold a load receivingmeans, and having integral opposite transversely extending body portionsserving as integral pivot rod receiving supports with a horizontalformed cavity to receive respective pivot rod subassemblies, and havingadditional integral opposite transversely extending body portions spacedin pairs on respective sides of the said integral opposite transverselyextending body portions which serve as the integral pivot rod receivingsupports, each said pair of additional integral opposite transverselyextending body portion terminating outwardly in a concave reenforcingabutment to come into play when the handline is subjected to highloading; b. a load receiving means having a head portion to be securedto a load line, having a threaded shank to be positioned through thecentrally located vertical formed cavity of the said load receiving andtransmitting body, and having a subassembly of a bushing, washer, nut,locking pin, and lock nut, for securing the said threaded shank in thesaid centrally located cavity; c. two spaced depending side housingshaving at their top integral paired and spaced convex pivot rodreceiving supports, to complementary fit in the said concave reenforcingabutments of the said load receiving and transmitting body, withhorizontal formed cavities to receive respective pivot rodsubassemblies, which also are received in the said integral oppositetransverse extending body portions of the said load receiving andtransmitting body, to be thereby rotatably secured to the load receivingand transmitting body, having at their bottom integral extendedreceiving transverse supports having transverse cavities to receive abottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve, having at theirintegral mid portions on their insides a recessed structure toaccommodate portions of a sheave, having at their integral mid portionson their outsides, a formed recess to non rotatably position endportions of an axle subassembly, at least one said outside recess havinga circular crushable rib to be deformed during the initial rotativeassembly of the said depending side housings, and also having at theirintegral mid portions a transverse hole to accommodate portions of anaxle subassembly; d. an axle subassembly of a bolt, sleeve, and nut,inserted through the transverse holes of the said respective integralmid portions of the said two spaced depending side housings, the finaltightening of this axle subassembly, after installation of a sheave,occurring as the two said spaced depending side housings are rotatedrelative to one another until firmly contacting the ends of the saidsleeve of this axle subassembly, the complete tightening being assuredas the said circular crushable rib is deformed to the extent necessaryas the said formed recesses non rotatably position the said end portionsof the axle subassembly; e. a sheave for placement on the said axlesubassembly and positioned between said two spaced depending sidehousings for partial interfitting within their said inside recesses; f.a bottom securement subassembly of rivets and a sleeve to securetogether the said bottom integral extended receiving transverse supportsof the said two spaced depending side housings; and g. pivot rodsecurement subassemblies to rotatably secure the said two spaceddepending side housings at their respective said spaced convex pivot rodreceiving supports to the load receiving and transmitting body at itssaid integral opposite transversely extending body portions, one ofthese said pivot rod securement subassemblies having two rivets and asleeve for riveted securement, and the other of these said pivot rodsecurement subassemblies having a sleeve, a pull out pin, and a securedtether to keep the pull out pin from falling away from the adjacent saiddepending side housing, the said pull out pin upon its withdrawal,clearing the respective said depending side housing at its top foroutwardly pivoting to gain access to the sheave for removal or insertionof a pulley line.